As if declining profits and poor summer weather were not bad
enough, Britain's leading cider maker HP Bulmer has now revealed
previously unnoticed costs in its UK takehome division - costs
which will either push 2001/2002 profits...

The launch of the new Zinniz fruit-flavoured beer brand helped
Grolsch lift its share of an otherwise sluggish Dutch market.
Strong performances in the UK also contributed to a 6.6 per cent
rise in turnover during the half.

Strong organic growth from the premium drinks business was one of
several key drivers of growth at Diageo, the UK company which is
now wholly focused on its beer, wine and spirits business. Smirnoff
Ice and other RTD brands performed...

The world's biggest spirits group should continue with its policy
of using the proceeds of disposals to buy back shares when the sale
of its Burger King unit is completed. But this does not rule out
further acquisitions.

Leading UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle has reported increased
volume sales for its leading brands in the first five months of the
new financial year, helped by the acqusition of the Hartwall
business in Finland. Compatriot Greene...

Belvedere, the French wine and spirit distribution company, has
registered a 59 per cent rise in sales to €106.8 million in the
first half of the year, helped by the €8.2 million acquisition of
the Polish distillery Starograd Gdanski.

The merger of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery and Distilllers
Corporation, two of the largest drinks producers in South Africa,
has helped Distell see improved growth opportunities and greater
international expansion.

The acquisition of the Belgian-based flavour house Perlarom has
enhanced Danisco's position in the premier league of European
flavour houses, the Danish company reported this week. In May this
year Danisco acquired the Perlarom...

The Ingredient Technology Group (ITG) division of Ocean Spray this
week announced record European sales of cranberry ingredients for
the last fiscal year. With a 134 per cent increase on the previous
year's sales, Europe now...

British organisation the Health Supplement Information Service
counters recent arguments negating the benefits of vitamins. It
argues that the modern diet provides insufficient amounts of
nutrients for large numbers of the population.